Devotionals

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Hello, and welcome to this weeks verse of the week. I know this is kind of a funny title for a devotional, but it just came to mind now, and it seemed to fit, as this is what the lesson is on this week:

"He must become more, I must become less."
John 4:30

These words came from the apostle John, so you know they have truth to them, as John was a devoted man of God. I was thinking about this verse today, and asked the Lord excatly what it meant, and the words "crucifying the flesh" came to mind. I think He had to laugh at the face I made, LOL, because that doesn't sound fun. I think I actually responded by saying "Lord, that doesn't sound fun!", but He also wants us to know that we are not alone, He is with us, and He will give us the grace to put aside our old selves so that He may do His good work in us.
I really think the Lord wants us to understand, first of all, that He wants us to remain who we are. He loves our unique personalities, our creativity, our passions, and our heart. After all, He created us! However, the parts of us that He wants us to "get rid of" are the parts that want to rise up in anger, boast, brag, cause trouble, complain, etc. I think He wants us to be ourselves, but He wants to change us so we may become a better version of ourselves. And to put aside the old man, so He may reign in us, and shine in us, in our lives!
I have been noticing lately, that people have very negative attitudes. The more I begin to see the heart of God and how good and gracious He is, the more I am hurt by the negative attitudes of those around me. Its really easy to get prideful, and think "I don't act that way!" Then the Lord gently reminds me "You used to." Ouch. But its true, we all did, and sometimes still do, because we are human, and we have fleshly desires, and tendancies. The best thing a believer can do is get down on their knees and say "Here I am Lord, the good, bad and the ugly, take this broken vessel and make it into something pleasing to You, that you can use for Your honour and glory. Set me apart, make me different, move in me, so I may be noticed by those around me, and people may see You in me." The world needs different people this day and age! We live in a lost and hurting generation and they DESPERATLY need the Living God to REVEAL TRUTH AND SET THEM FREE! They always say, "to some, you may be the only bible they ever read." We need God to help us to be that way, to act like the bible tells us too, so people may see Gods truth in us. We can't love people on our own, we can't tolerate them, get along with them, or understand them. We needs the Holy Spirit to move in us, transform us, and draw us to be more like Him; loving, kind, patient, gentle, and peaceful, so those around us may see God in us.

DEAR LORD-I DECLARE NOW THAT I CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN. IN OUR OWN HUMANITY, WE CANNOT LOVE OTHERS OR HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM LIKE YOU DO. BUT WITH THE HELP AND POWER OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, WE CAN BE CHANGED INTO YOUR LIKENESS, TO SHARE YOUR LOVE AND LIGHT WITH THE WORLD. YOU HAVE SET US ASIDE TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE AND FOLLOW YOU WITH ALL WE HAVE. MAY WE DECREASE SO YOU, DEAR LORD MAY INCREASE IN OUR LIVES.
IN JESUS PRECIOUS NAME
AMEN

In Jesus Love,
Jamie

*AS ALWAYS, FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR INPUT, OF HOW THE LORD HAS WORKED IN YOUR LIFE IN THESE AREAS, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME, FEEL FREE TO SHARE THEM, SO I CAN BETTER MINISTER TO YOU, IN WHAT I WRITE. THANK YOU.

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